Pronunciations (7)
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/fɒks/
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
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/fɔks/
Pronunciation notes
- Australia
- British
- Scotland
- Southern
- Standard
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/fɑks/
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
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/fɒks/
Pronunciation notes
- New-Zealand
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[fɔ̟ks]
Pronunciation notes
- New-Zealand
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fɒks
Pronunciation notes
- GB
-
fɑks
Pronunciation notes
- US
Noun
A small-to-medium-sized canine mammal, related to dogs and wolves, with a flattened skull, upright triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail, of the following groups: Any member of the genus Vulpes; a true fox.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
- Examples
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A group of foxes is called a skulk.
A small-to-medium-sized canine mammal, related to dogs and wolves, with a flattened skull, upright triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail, of the following groups: Any member of the genus Vulpes; a true fox. The red fox, a small carnivore (Vulpes vulpes) with red or silver fur.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
- in particular
- Examples
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The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
More examples (2)
The fox went out on a chase one night, / he prayed to the Moon to give him light, / for he had many a mile to go that night / before he reached the town-o, town-o, town-o. / He had many a mile to go that night / before he reached the town-o.
They burned the old gun that used to stand in the dark corner up in the garret, close to the stuffed fox that always grinned so fiercely. Perhaps the reason why he seemed in such a ghastly rage was that he did not come by his death fairly. Otherwise his pelt would not have been so perfect. And why else was he put away up there out of sight?—and so magnificent a brush as he had too.
It was earliest morning, when even small trees cast long shadows and scarlet foxes trot denward through the dew like flecks of fire.
A small-to-medium-sized canine mammal, related to dogs and wolves, with a flattened skull, upright triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail, of the following groups: Other canines that resemble true foxes, of the genera Cerdocyon, Lycalopex, Otocyon, and Urocyon.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
- Broader terms
The fur of a fox.
Usage- Uncountable
A fox terrier.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
A flying fox.
Usage- Australia
- Countable
- Uncountable
- Examples
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More examples (1)
Their screeches heralded excited talk from the hurrying troops, for flying fox is a delicacy. The densely-foliaged trees hedged a sombre pool, deep and quiet. As the slain foxes dropped into the water the snouts of river crocodiles popped up and devoured them.
The gemmeous dragonet, a fish, Callionymus lyra, so called from its yellow color.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
A cunning person.
Usage- Countable
- Figurative
- Uncountable
- Examples
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More examples (1)
As for thee, false friend, subtle fox, unfaithful servant, this long time am I grown weary of thee slinking up and down my palace devising darkly things I know not: thou, that art nought akin to Witchland, but an outlander, a Goblin exile, a serpent warmed in my bosom to my hurt.
A physically attractive person, typically a woman.
Usage- Countable
- Figurative
- Slang
- Uncountable
- Broader terms
- Examples
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And Jerry was cute, you know, I liked him, but Frank was a total fox. And he was rougher than Jerry, you know, not so cultured.
It wasn't just that Jayne was a fox – although, fuck, was she ever a fox. That arse, those tits, those lips. They could have a really good time together.
A person with reddish brown hair, typically a woman.
Usage- Countable
- Figurative
- Slang
- Uncountable
A small strand of rope made by twisting several rope-yarns together. Used for seizings, mats, sennits, and gaskets.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
A wedge driven into the split end of a bolt to tighten it.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
A hidden radio transmitter, finding which is the goal of radiosport.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
- Examples
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Locating a hidden transmitter (the fox) has been a popular ham activity for many years.
The fourteenth Lenormand card.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
A sword; so called from the stamp of a fox on the blade, or perhaps of a wolf taken for a fox.
Usage- Countable
- Obsolete
- Uncountable
- Examples
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Thou diest on point of fox.
Air-to-air weapon launched.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
- Examples
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Got a lock! Fox, Fox!
Someone who fuses many different influences and concepts in their philosophy or worldview.
Usage- Countable
- Uncountable
- Antonyms
- Examples
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Austin was patiently and painstakingly concerned with truth within limitations. He was a hedgehog, not a fox.
More examples (1)
Dewey was a hedgehog rather than a fox; he spent his life trying to articulate and restate a single vision, and in the writings of his third decade he already exhibits the tension I have claimed to find in the later writings.
Verb
To trick, fool or outwit (someone) by cunning or ingenuity.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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More examples (1)
I see a number of gallants every where, whoſe incomes come in yearely by ſet numbers, but runne out daily, ſans number. […] And when I ſee them often foxed, me thinke the Proverbe ſutes thoſe ſutes, what is the fox but his caſe? I ſhould thinke them to be Eutrapelus his enemies, whom he cloathed richly to make them ſpend freely, and grow deboſhed.
To sham, to dissemble.
- Examples
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He was not foxing. No, no: he was sick really.
To confuse or baffle (someone).
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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This crossword puzzle has completely foxed me.
To act slyly or craftily.
Usage- Intransitive
To cheat or rob.
Usage- Dated
- Transitive
- Examples
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More examples (1)
Have you any news of Miriam? As I have had no reply to my delicately worded epistle, I can only presume that you foxed me with the wrong address, and that you are yourself already engaged to be married to her.
To discolour paper. Fox marks are spots on paper caused by humidity. (See foxing.)
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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The pages of the book show distinct foxing.
To make sour, as beer, by causing it to ferment.
Usage- Transitive
To turn sour; said of beer, etc., when it sours in fermenting.
Usage- Intransitive
To intoxicate; to stupefy with drink.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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I drank […] so much wine that I was almost foxed.
To repair (boots) with new front upper leather, or to piece the upper fronts of.
Usage- Transitive
Noun
alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
a shifty deceptive person
the grey or reddish-brown fur of a fox
Verb
deceive somebody
- Examples
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We tricked the teacher into thinking that class would be cancelled next week
be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
- Examples
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These questions confuse even the experts
This question completely threw me
More examples (1)
This question befuddled even the teacher
become discolored with, or as if with, mildew spots
- Broader terms